Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he believes that the rollercoaster relationship with Britain will improve under new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The Fianna Fáil leader said that there is a joint desire to get “meat on the bones” and reach a “negotiated settlement” that would solve the Northern Irish Protocol issue.
The two men bonded over football and long trips home from Egypt from the COP27 conference as they met in Blackpool on Thursday for their first official bilateral meeting since Mr Sunak took office.
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Given the up-and-down nature of British and Irish relations over the last number of months, it did not go unnoticed that the meeting took place in a hotel situated near a large rollercoaster in the British seaside town.
When asked if he thought the overbearing attraction was symbolic of Ireland’s relationship with the UK, Mr Martin admitted that he was one of the few people not to notice the amusement ride.
However, he insisted that while relationships have “ups and downs”, Ireland and Britain must maintain a friendship.
“Politics at the best of times can go up and down,” he said.
“What struck me when I was in Manchester meeting the mayors of both Liverpool and Manchester [was that] the strength of the relationship between Ireland and Britain is very deep.
“Familial, cultural, sporting, political, economic.
“That relationship is a very strong one. That draws the political relationship inevitably back to the centre. That is what I sensed with that meeting with Rishi Sunak, he understands that”.
Mr Martin also noted that the fact Mr Sunak was the first Prime Minister in 15 years to attend the British and Irish Council was “very significant”.
He said that the Prime Minister was “very very keen” on striking a settlement on the Northern Irish Protocol. However, he would not speculate on “timelines” for when an agreement might be reached.
Mr Martin said that the postponement of Northern Ireland elections provides a “window of opportunity” to reach an agreement.
“From Government to Government perspective, we want to see meat on the bone,” he said.
“The mood music is improving, we now need to see that translate into a resolution.”
During their meeting, the British Prime Minister told the Taoiseach that the British and Irish Council meeting was “particularly important as we approach the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement” next April.
Mr Sunak said the British Irish Council was “very special” and the gathering was all about friendship.
Before travelling to Blackpool for his meeting with Mr Sunak, the Taoiseach was in Manchester to meet members of the Irish diaspora community.
Mr Martin met fellow Cork man and former Irish and Manchester United footballer Denis Irwin, as well as Brian Barry-Murphy, son of Cork GAA legend Jimmy.
Sport proved to be an ice breaker for the two Prime Ministers on Thursday evening, as they spoke about their favourite football teams.
The Taoiseach confessed to being a Manchester United fan, while Mr Suank confirmed he supported Southampton.
Two men also spoke about their experiences at the COP27 conference in Egypt, comparing and contrasting travel times.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Sunak, meanwhile, said that he was “deeply committed” to the Good Friday Agreement and he wanted to see the Northern Ireland Executive back up and running.
The British and Irish Council will continue on Friday.
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